About the History of Cars in China
In the late 2000’s China started to get serious about electric cars. Many Chinese automakers launched concept cars and small-series EVs for demonstration projects. One of these car makers was Brilliance Automotive. In 2009 they unveiled an attractive electric concept car, followed by a follow-up concept in 2011.
Continue reading “China Concept Cars: The 2009 & 2011 Brilliance EV Concept Cars”
This may look like a London Taxis International TXII, but is isn’t. This instead is a Brilliance Austin, and only one was ever built.
Continue reading “The 2002 Brilliance London Taxi Deal That Almost Happened”
In 2002 China Brilliance and MG Rover started talks about a joint venture to make the Rover 75 in China.
During the negotiations MG Rover shipped two dozen 75’s with Brilliance badges to China, with the aim of showing the Chinese side how a ‘Brilliance-Rover 75’ would look like. All these cars were powered by the 2.5 liter V6.
What MG Rover probably didn’t expect was that some of these cars were actually sold and ended up on Chinese roads with valid license plates. Most, but not all, of these cars were labelled as Zhonghua B8.
Back in 2002 MG Rover and Brilliance Auto started talking about a possible joint venture to make the Rover 75 in China. MG Rover build a few 75’s with Brilliance badging and shipped them over to Chinese shores to inspire their potential partners. Sadly the deal didn’t happen and eventually MG Rover was sold in parts to SAIC and Nanjing Auto.
Read the whole story of the MG Rover Brilliance Auto tie-up on AROnline, a brilliant website about British cars with a focus on Austin Rover.